The surmounting losses and continued compromises of COVID-19 have made the battle landscape fertile ground for our enemy to invite spirits of fear, hopelessness, depression, accusation and even hatred. Survey what you are invited to feel and think, and consider that not all of that is you. What an incredible and incredibly difficult time to be alive. This generation is facing challenging times for sure but I’m not sure I would trade this time for other wartimes.
But if the battlegrounds are fertile for the enemy, they are fertile for the Kingdom of God, too. I wonder what God is moving us through and I wonder what He has for us in the midst of these days?
When “death" is the headline of a time, the kingdom of darkness works overtime to move against God … death is its specialty, it fights against Image Bearers of God by doing all it can do to drive our focus away from God, away from trust and away from the Father’s provision and protection. While these are the days we are living in, others have seen such days.
The American Civil War (620,000 deceased)
World War II (85 million killed worldwide)
The Protestant Reformation (estimated 8-11million)
Spanish Flu of 1918 (50 million dead worldwide)
Swine Flu 2009 (284,000 dead worldwide;12,000 in the US)
COVID-19 (773,000 dead worldwide; 170,000 in the US)
If I had lost a loved one, I'm not certain comparisons would be helpful. But I believe perspective is always helpful. And perspective is what I am praying for; for my heart, my family's hearts, the Zoweh team, and you.
A friend said to me yesterday, “We’re all in a war, but not all at war.” War against what? Against whom?
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. - 2 Corinthians 10:3
but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. - Romans 7:23
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. - 2 Corinthians 10:14
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. - Psalm 27:3
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. - Ephesians 6:12
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. - 2 Corinthians 10:14
Friends, what is on my heart today is that we have been in a “pandemic" ever since being escorted out of the Garden. I don't want to make light of these days, but a war has been waged against the hearts of men and women for a long, long time, and the physical realm is a place in which the spiritual war plays out. Sickness and disease are a part of a system of fallenness that one day will be remedied ... and it won’t be a because of a vaccine. It will be the arrival of our King. On that day, the war will end, as will sickness and death, and all will be made new - restored and redeemed! Until then, we are to live and walk hopeful in the midst of fallen humanity and a fallen world where fallen foul spirits are at work because their time might very well be short. Until then, we fight and our greatest weapon is Love. “Love one another - as I have loved you … love one another.” Jesus knew and Jesus still knows ... it is all about love.
We, like you and so many, have sustained some pretty good punches, some setbacks and a whole lot of inconveniences. We are praying for a few things and invite you to join us.
First, we're praying over our weapons for the battle ...
The Heart of the Warrior book for men. In the last five years, we have seen the book move throughout the world and find new men to engage in the process of orientation (experiencing from God who they are, where they are, and the good God is up to in their lives). Hundreds of small groups are starting with The Heart of the Warrior this fall, pray with us for their beginnings.
The Rendezvous Project video series for marriages. Two people walking with God together, a very powerful and needed presence in this world at this time. Pray with us for the production and delivery of this important initiative.
King Me, the new book for men. What if God wanted to entrust a man with more and was committed to validating and initiating a man to play a critical role in the Larger Story? Sneak peeks beginning late October, 2020. I would love your prayers for the creative process, the editing and production of this project.
Last but not least, we have “lost” between 800-900 men to the cancellations of three weekend events so far in 2020. Even though God has brought thousands into our Allies database during these past six months, we still feel the loss of impact and momentum. We have one more The Heart of a Warrior Encounter conference scheduled in Colorado - The Heart of a Warrior Encounter West, October 15-18. Please pray for God’s favor and the opportunity to safely host this event.